The 2025 Wild Card playoff games begin tomorrow and start what baseball fans hope to be an October to remember. The final seedings were not decided until just yesterday. Let’s take a look at all 12 entrants this year sorted through their respective seedings:

Milwaukee Brewers (NL). The Brew Crew won their 4th NL Central title in five years and had the most wins in the entire MLB. Every year I doubt this team, but they seem to find a way to win like no other team in baseball. Led by Christian Yelich and William Contreras, both the offense and defense are really solid. Their pitching strength is in the bullpen. If you are trailing them late in the game, Trevor McGill and Abner Uribe will shut the door. Their Achilles heal is starting pitching. With Brandon Woodruff and Jose Quintana on the IL, Freddy Peralta and Jacob MIsorowski need to come up big for Milwaukee to go deep into the playoffs.

Toronto Blue Jays (AL). I’ve only seen Toronto play a handful of times all season, but they are truly fun to watch. They have a powerful lineup with the likes of George Springer, Dante Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero in the 1-3 slots. Don’t get in a high scoring game with this bunch. Their starting four pitchers, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt, and Max Scherzer, are formidable but a little unpredictable. Who knows, there could be a little “Max Magic” in the air just like the 2019 Nationals experienced.

Philadelphia Phillies (NL). The Phils’ starting lineup is packed with some big names – Harper, Realmuto, Bohm, and Castellanos, but how many teams can also boast the NL batting champion (Trea Turner) and NL HR and RBIs leader (Kyle Schwarber). Powerful is the word. It’s hard not to put their starting staff in the elite category when on any given day Christopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Aaron Nola, or Jesus Luzardo will take the hill. Philadelphia’s bullpen was bolstered by the trade deadline acquisition of Jhoan Duran from the Twins. The Phillies are primed to make a serious run at the title.

Seattle Mariners (AL). The Mariners got hot at the right time, sweeping the Astros in Houston in a key 3-game series down the stretch. Their offense has excelled all year behind the power of Cal Raleigh and all around play of Julio Rodriguez. Throw in the acquisitions of Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor at the trade deadline and this team thrived in August and September. You have to like their pitching too with Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby. Grab some Seattle coffee and enjoy them in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Dodgers (NL). Yes, the 2024 World Champions won the NL West this year again, but for whatever reason, I’m just not sold on them this year. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking. Their lineup too is full of stars headed by Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. And maybe their starting staff is ranked at the top of list, featuring Yamamoto, Glasnow, Snell, and Kershaw. While it would be a good story if Kershaw turns his playoff performances around with a solid 2025, I just don’t see it happening. Ohtani on the mound in some fashion is certainly a wild card. Don’t count them out, but also don’t count them in.

Cleveland Guardians (AL). Cleveland has been the surprise team of the second half! On July 9, they were 15 ½ games behind Detroit. Going into September, they were still 9 ½ games back. While they needed a series win over the Tigers this past week and a Tigers collapse to win the division, they won the AL Central and go into the AL playoffs with tons of momentum. So who is on this upstart team? Two of my favorite players, the most consistent third baseman in the game, Jose Ramirez, and one of the top left fielders and leadoff hitters, Steven Kwan. Despite having no big names on the mound, consistent starts in the last four weeks have led them to the September promised land. Will that continue in October?

Chicago Cubs (NL). Full disclosure, I’ve seen this team play 90% of its games this season, and have truly enjoyed the ride. The first half of the season was remarkable with an offense matched by no other team. Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Carson Kelly and Seiya Suzuki led the way, but were certainly assisted by Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner (who finished 2nd in the NL in batting), and Dansby Swanson. Rookie third baseman Matt Shaw had a solid second half. The Cubs withstood injuries to its starting staff all season, and now look to them for some clutch October outings. Lefties Imanaga and Boyd have been stalwarts, and rookie Cade Horton has been sensational but is now on the IL. The bullpen has been good for most of the year, led by Brad Keller and closer Daniel Palencia. The bullpen and health of Kyle Tucker will be the keys to their October success story.

New York Yankees (AL). It’s difficult not to start with anyone other than Aaron Judge, the leader of the team and the best player in the AL. He is surrounded by a star-studded lineup, including Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice, and Jazz Chisholm. The trade deadline acquisition of Ryan McMahon from the Rockies clearly helped. The bullpen was bolstered mid-year with David Bednar. The fortune of last year’s AL champs will rest upon the starting staff. While Max Fried and Carlos Rodon give the Pinstripers a one-two punch on the front end, looking for a quality 3rd and 4th starter will be the challenge. It’s difficult to see this team repeating as AL champs.

San Diego Padres (NL). The Padres went all in at the trade deadline, landing a closer in Mason Miller and some help at first base (Ryan O’Hearn) and left field (Ramon Laureano). These additions supplemented the incredible core of Tatis, Arraez, and Machado! The Padres put on a late season surge but couldn’t catch up to the Dodgers. Their starting staff has some big names, Dylan Cease, Nick Pavetta, Michael King, and Yu Darvish, but only Pavetta and King starred this season. When San Diego visits Wrigley Field this week, they will provide a formidable test for the Cubs.

Boston Red Sox (AL). This is another AL team that was pretty well counted out in the first half, but came to life in the second. It seemed like they were cashing in their chips when they traded Rafael Devers to the Giants, but in an odd way the trade seemed to ignite the club. They have some names in the everyday lineup you will know – Trevor Story; Alex Bregman; Nathaniel Lowe; and Wil Abreu. What makes them a threat in the postseason is that their ace pitcher, Garrett Crochet, is surrounded by some quality, veteran starters, Lucas Giolito and Dustin May.

Cincinnati Reds (NL). I watched a lot of Reds games too along the way this season, and not in my wildest dreams did I see their surge to the playoffs in the last two weeks coming. Their lineup lacked power until recently when Spencer Steer got hot. Their best player, shortstop Elly De La Cruz, had a tough year from the right side of the plate and certainly in the field. And yet, they kept afloat around .500 for most of the season, and their winning streak in the last two weeks got them the final playoff slot. What makes this group a team that other NL teams would just as soon not play is its deep starting staff, headed by Hunter Greene and his cohorts Singer, Abbott, and Lodolo.

Detroit Tigers (AL). I had the Tigers penciled (maybe, penned) in the number one overall AL slot for most of the year. Their September fall caused Detroit to fall back into the #6 slot on the AL side. They are still a formidable team, with a lineup of Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene, and Spencer Torkelson. Where they are really dangerous is on the mound with the 2024 AL Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, leading the way. Casey Mize is a quality #2 and veteran Jack Flaherty fills out the rotation. It will be interesting to see if this team rebounds in October.

Until next season,

your Baseball Bench Coach